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Shahbir Shah ready to participate in J&K polls, but has some preconditions

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah on Friday said that his party is willing to participate in the Sep-Oct assembly polls provided the central government initiated certain confidence-building measures, including ensuring greater accountability of anti-insurgency groups.

Addressing reporters after a meeting with Kashmir Committee chairman Ram Jethmalani at the latter's residence in Delhi, Shah said, "We discussed threadbare all issues including the most sensitive ones and my party has agreed in principle to participate in the elections."

His conditions for participation in the polls are:
1. Facilitation of intra-Kashmir dialogue
2. Honourable and dignified return of migrants
3. Greater accountability in anti-insurgency operations
4. End to custodial killings
5. Constitution of a commission to probe custodial killings and disappearance of persons; and
6. Release of those persons detained illegally/unfairly
7. Speedy trial of those jailed of petty offences

Shah pointed out that his party was never against participating in the democratic process. "We wholeheartedly agree with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that elections alone can identify the true representatives of the people in the state."

The Kashmir Committee assured his party of drawing the attention of the Centre and other political parties 'to these entirely reasonable demands', Shah said.

"The Kashmir Committee and the DFP will work together till the talks reach their logical conclusion," he said.

The next meeting would take place 'at an early date to be decided by mutual consultation', he added.

In the event of his party contesting the elections, he would also be in the fray, Shah said.

Jethmalani was, however, not so forthcoming on the details of the talks.

"I have (already) appealed to you to curb your curiosity (on the Kashmir issue)," Jethmalani said when reporters met him.

A Panun Kashmir delegation was also at his residence to apprise him of their views.

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